Tag: CC Sabathia

No, not what the Rock is cookin’; BASEBALL!! It’s February 12th. It should smell like freshly cut grass and pine tar in your living room by now.

While pitchers and catchers start reporting to spring training today (Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets), some of those lockers may remain empty for the foreseeable future. By my count, 107 free agents remain unsigned. Unprecedented and wild.

****We now take a break from your regularly scheduled program to make fun of the Mets: How is it that the Mets report their pitchers, catchers, and position players (February 17th) EARLIER than the rest of the league, yet still suck so badly????

With this year’s free agent market so unbalanced, the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Player’s Association) has decided to host a spring training camp for free agents. I guess teams should be pleased players will be staying in shape, but I can’t imagine heads around MLB are sleeping soundly on pillows every night….

What caused this problem??

There are many theories floating around in the ether. Union chief, Tony Clark, believes teams are “racing toward the bottom”. MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, thinks agents have “inaccurately assessed the market”. The bottom line is players want more money than they’re worth.

Worth is a funny thing. A player, like Carlos Santana, is worth $20 million per year in 2018. The same Carlos Santana may have been worth $22 million per year in 2017. Each year’s free agent market dictates a player’s worth. Regardless of the year, or market, one thing remains constant:

You are worth what someone is willing to pay you.

The Chicago Cubs decided Yu Darvish is worth $126 million (6 years). Contract incentives could push the deal as high as $150 million. Darvish’s new contract is the biggest of the offseason — so far. I, probably shouldn’t question Cubs’ president of baseball operations, Theo Esptein, but, ah, what the hell….

What is Theo Epstein thinking?!?! Yes, Yu Darvish is as talented a strikeout machine as anyone in MLB, but Yu can’t strike hitters out from the trainer’s room. Assuming 33 starts is a full season, Darvish has almost pitched 1 full season in his 5-year tenure in MLB (I know he pitched 31 games last year, but that doesn’t help prove my point). Darvish has started just 131 of a possible 165 games. Listen, not everyone’s Cal Ripken Jr., but I’d expect my 126 million dollar man to play more than 79% of the time.

And don’t forget his consecutive ‘blow-ups’ in the 2017 World Series. Both consisted of 4 earned runs in 1 and 2/3 innings, leaving a historically bad taste in ‘Dodger Nation’. Maybe Epstein thinks 1 World Series will override 6 injury plagued, inconsistent seasons.

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In a baseball town that’s often World Series or bust, the 2017 Yankees have caused mixed emotions. Today, there is only 1 acceptable emotion: SORROW.

But as the dust settles on the season, we can ask the question from the blackboard:

Was this season a success for the Yankees??

Many have grown accustom to winning, so their answer is an emphatic NO. Others look at the expectations prior to the season and laud this season as an overwhelming success.

Can’t it be both??

At the start of the season, the Yankees were projected to win 83 games. That’s not a playoff bound team. They didn’t know what they had in right field. They didn’t know they had an ace pitcher. And they didn’t know they’d be 1 game away from the World Series. So, how could anyone possibly be disappointed with the result of this season?? Spoiled, entitled, a**hole Yankees’ fans, that’s how.

YES, I’m a Yankees’ fan. My entire life. I’m just one of the good ones.

Humility goes a long way. Especially when you often find yourself hoisting the trophy. This was not the Yankees’ year. The same reason they overcame adversity to reach Game 7 of the ALCS, is the same reason they faltered in Game 7 of the ALCS. They’re young, and unexperienced, and naïve.

If I don’t know how big the moment is, how can the moment be too big??

The Houston Astros are a very good team. They deserve to be in the World Series. 1 different hop or different 1 bounce, and the Yankees could be in the World Series. That’s what it means to be in a Game 7. Rather than scrutinize every mistake made in the ALCS, oversimplify we shall….

ALCS in a nutshell:

Yankees’ offense in New York: 19 runs in 3 games

Yankees’ offense in Houston: 3 runs in 4 games

That’s it. That’s the whole story. That’s all she wrote.

This oversimplifying stuff is fun. Let’s try it again:

Looking through April 1st (start of the season) glasses: Huge Success

July 31st (trade deadline) glasses: That’s About Right

October 18th (Yankees’ 3-2 ALCS lead) glasses: Complete Failure

We (Yankees’ fans) shouldn’t have tantrums about not winning a World Series since 2009. Just think — we could be Mets’ fans. But, we also shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch. Having a solid young core doesn’t guarantee sustained success. The ‘Baby Bombers’ may never win a World Series. Or, they can win 4.

Only time will tell….

Was the Yankees’ season a success?? Was it a failure?? Post your thoughts in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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2, 2, 1, 4, and 0. No, that’s not my ATM pin number, it’s the number of runs scored by the Houston Astros in the ALCS. While the storyline continues to revolve around Aaron Judge and the Yankees’ potent offense, the pitching staff continues to be overshadowed.

Yes, the bats needed to wake up, as they were limited to 1 run each of the first 2 games, but they wouldn’t be leading the ALCS 3 games to 2 without stellar pitching. Everyone knows how dominant their bullpen is, however, they’ve sported the best starting rotation so far this postseason. The only team who has performed near the level of the Yankees is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Heading into this season, the Yankees’ starting rotation was littered with question marks. How would Luis Severino perform in his 1st full season as a starter?? How much does CC Sabathia have left in the tank?? Can Michael Pineda stay healthy for an entire season?? Who will be the 5th starter??

The Yankees overachieved this season, so the majority of these questions were answered in the affirmative, however, they did falter at times. Pineda was shut down for the year in early July. Jordan Montgomery, who filled the 5th starter role to perfection, ran into an innings limit. And the 1 part of the rotation the Yankees assumed would be the foundation, Masahiro Tanaka, turned out to be the least consistent piece of the puzzle.

Come October, throw everything out the window. Except for my TV. Don’t throw that out the window. Postseason baseball breathes new life into the air. Some rise to the occasion, some succumb to the pressure. The Yankees have risen.

Last night, in a crucial Game 5, Masahiro Tanaka, pitched an absolute gem.

CAN I GET A SHUTOUT HERRREEEEE?!?!

Tanaka’s Day: 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts

The Astros have picked a bad time to go ice cold. 9 runs in 5 games is not going to cut it. Again, this is a testament to the Yankees’ pitching because the Astros are a powerful offense.

Here are the Astros’ offensive rankings in the regular season:

Hits (1,581) – 1st

Runs (896) – 1st

Home Runs (238) – 2nd

Batting Avg. (.282) – 1st

RBI’s (854) – 1st

Luis Severino will look to keep those powerful bats at bay for 1 more game. Despite being pulled early from his last start, after getting struck with a ball, Severino will take the hill Friday night against Justin Verlander. Verlander mowed down the Yankees in Game 2, so the Yankees will be out for revenge. Hopefully they jump on Verlander early. He’s a rare breed that gets stronger as a game goes on.

Catch all the action tomorrow on FS1 @ 8:08 P.M. EST. When the Yankees win, they’ll return to their 1st World Series since 2009.

LET’S GO YANKEES!!

Score Prediction: Yankees 5, Astros 3

Who do you think will win Game 6?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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When in doubt, call CC Sabathia. With the Yankees’ season teetering on the edge, they called upon their stopper. Their hefty (crafty) lefty. This season, CC Sabathia is 9-0, in 12 starts, following a Yankees’ loss. That’s unbelievable!!

CC’s Day: 6 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts

I don’t love the 4 walks, but if CC is going to keep this Houston Astros’ lineup scoreless through 6 innings, he can walk as many batters as he’d like. Which brings us to the most crucial part of the game. In the top of the 3rd inning, CC gave up a single and walked 2, loading the bases for clutch youngster, Carlos Correa. CC, got CC, to pop-out to shortstop. Disaster averted.

Monday night’s Game 3 victory by the Yankees was filled with big moments.

In Order.

You’re Welcome.

5.) Starlin Castro reached base on a swinging bunt. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Castro started what turned out to be a 3-run inning. Stay tuned. There’s more to come on this inning.

4.) The 5-run, bottom of the 4th inning. This inning included a double by Greg Bird. A walk by Todd Frazier. An rbi single by Chase Headley (the Yankees’ 1st hit from their DH this postseason). Brett Gardner getting hit by a pitch. A wild pitch which brought in a run. And a 3-run home run by Aaron Judge!! This gave the Yankees an 8-0 lead, putting the game out of reach. They would go on to win 8-1.

3.) Not 1, but 2 spectacular catches by Aaron Judge. The 1st can be seen here. Judge sacrificed his body, slamming into the right field wall at full speed. Is it possible that catch got him going at the plate?? The 2nd catch was a phenomenal display of athleticism. Check it out here.

2.) Here’s where CC earned his contract….

The aforementioned pop-out by Carlos Correa. Keeping the Astrosoff the scoreboard was key, but like they say, “Timing is everything.” The Yankees had just taken the lead, and the last thing they wanted to do was cough it right back up. As he did all night, CC clamped down.

1.) Todd Frazier. A ‘Jersey Kid’ who’s livin’ the dream. Frazier stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 2nd inning and hit what can only be described as a ‘Yankee Stadium Home Run’. Watch it first, then we’ll talk.

Have you ever seen a ball, that looked like a bloop-single, land in the bleachers?? I know I know, it’s Yankee Stadium. And yes, I’m a lifelong, die-hard Yankees’ fan. But that was ridiculous. I’m not complaining. It just looked silly. It was, however, just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Yankees’ offense.

Strikeouts ARE contagious, but so ARE hits.

The questions is, can the Yankees’ bats keep it going against Lance McCullers Jr.??

Check out Game 4 action EARLY Tuesday evening on FS1. First pitch is set for 5:08 P.M. EST. Sonny Gray, off 1,407 days rest (or 12), will get the ball for the Yankees.

Prediction:Yankees 6, Astros 4

Who do you think will win Game 4?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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In a decisive Game 5, the Yankees turned to 37-year old, Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. Sabathia, now a crafty veteran, channeled his former self. Sabathia, and his left arm, were tremendous, striking out 9 in 4 and 1/3 innings. Notoriously a slow-starter, he wasted no time, striking out the first 2 batters he faced. He kept hitters off balance with his swooping slider and surprised Indians’ hitters with his sneaky fastball.

Do you know what the most impressive part was?? He outdueled AL CY Young favorite, Corey Kluber, twice. For the 2nd straight outing, Kluber was ordinary. After lasting just 2 and 2/3 innings in Game 2, he was destined for just 3 and 2/3 innings on Wednesday. It’s hard to explain. Kluber is one of the best pitchers in the world. But hey, I’m not losing any sleep over it….

Kluber was tagged not once, but twice, by Didi Gregorious. Didi connected on a solo home run in the 1st inning. And struck gold again in the 3rd inning with a 2-run home run. It was DD and CC to the rescue.

Too corny??

Sorry.

Following their crushing defeat in Game 2, winning the ALDS was all the more impressive. These young, “baby-bombers” showed grit and resiliency, punching their way out of a corner. After completing the comeback Wednesday night (5-2), the 2017 Yankees became just the 7th team to comeback from an 0-2 deficit to win a Divisional Series.

If I had told you Aaron Judge would go 1 for 20 in this series, but they’d win, you would have called me names I can’t write on my website. Aaron Judge is an impressive, young man. He’s humble. He’s a great athlete. And he hits baseballs really, really far. But he now holds an unenviable record. Judge’s 16 strikeouts in the ALDS are the most by any player, in any playoff series, in MLB history. No es bueno.

Judge mashes mediocre fastballs (under 94 mph), and has a great eye (127 walks). However, he struggles against fastballs 95 mph or faster and strikeouts far too much (208). Pitchers usually raise his eye level with the ‘high-heat’, and then drop the hammer with a low-and-away breaking ball. If the Yankees are going to have a chance against the Houston Astros in the ALCS, Judge will need to lay off those nasty breaking balls. He should walk down to 1st base over and over again, and set the table for Gary Sanchez in this series. This will force opposing pitchers to serve up inside fastballs to Judge later in the series. Then, my fellow Yankee fans can bust out their telescopes to track Judge Moonshots….

Again, I’m not rooting against my team. I simply call it like I see it.

ALCS Prediction: Astros in 7

Prove me wrong, again, please….

Who do you think will win the ALCS?? In how many games?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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We learned a lot about Luis Severino Monday night. After a pitching performance to forget in the AL Wild Card Game, Severino put his best foot forward in Game 4 of the ALDS. Game 4 was the 2nd elimination game for the Yankees in as many days. Win, and force a Game 5. Lose, and go home.

“Why don’t you just go home? That’s your home! Are you too good for your home?!”

Severino: 7 innings, 4 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 9 strikeouts

Severino’s fastball was live, touching 100 mph a handful of times. His changeup regularly registered at or above 90 mph (which is insane). And his slider was sharp and consistent. Severino’s two blemishes came in the form of the long ball. Carlos Santana, who is giving everyone fits, tagged him for a 2-run home run in the 4th inning, and Roberto Perez hit a solo home run in the 5th inning. The other two hits were harmless singles by Jay Bruce and Michael Brantley.

On the other hand, the Yankees’ lineup did what they couldn’t do in Game 1. They got to Trevor Bauer, forcing him from the game after just 2 and 2/3 innings. Bauer was pitching on 3 days rest, and it showed. The Yankees put up 4 runs in the 2nd inning. What started with an error by the 3rd baseman, Giovany Urshela, ended with a 4-run, 2-out rally.

ALERT THE AUTHORITIES!! There was an Aaron Judge sighting during this rally. Judge recorded his 1st hit of the series, cracking a 2-run double to left field. Believe it or not, the key to Judge’s at-bat in the 2nd inning was being fed a steady diet of curveballs. I know Judge has been struck out 174,000 times on curveballs, but hear me out. Bauer, who has gone to his masterful curveball 36% of the time in this series, threw Judge 4 curveballs in a row. While the first 2 dropped in for strikes, the next 2 were in the dirt. This allowed Judge to adjust his eye level and drive a ball later in the at-bat.

While Girardi and his bullpen have been a topic of conversation throughout this series, he pushed the right buttons Monday night. Girardi brought in Dellin Betances in the 8th inning, but promptly yanked him after Betances walked the first 2 batters. Without the 103-mph services of Aroldis Chapman, Tommy Kahnle came in. Kahnle was lights out!! 2 innings, 0 hits, 5 strikeouts, on just 22 pitches. 7-3 lead protected. WOW!! Talk about slamming a door.

When 1 door closes, another opens (or something like that). The Yankees will walk through that door, in Cleveland. It all comes down to Wednesday. Game 5. All-or-nothing. The dangerous, Houston Astros await the victor in the ALCS.

Catch all the action on FS1, Wednesday night, @ 7:00 P.M. EST.

Projected Starters: Corey Kluber vs. CC Sabathia

The Yankees lineup tagged Kluber for 6 runs in Game 2. That won’t happen again. The same way Yankees’ fans knew Severino wasn’t going to get shelled in consecutive outings, Indians’ fans know their ace. As for the Yankees, I trust CC, but it’s all hands on deck.

While my heart is rooting for the Yankees 100%, my mind doesn’t love their chances in Game 5.

Prediction: Indians 4, Yankees 3 (10 innings)

I’d pay good money to be wrong on this one….

Who do you think will win Game 5?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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The ALDS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians has not been for the faint of heart. For Yankees’ fans, the past 72 hours have been an emotional roller coaster. Roller coasters usually make me throw up. We’ll start our ride on Friday night, in Cleveland, for Game 2 of the ALDS.

Game 2 – The Most Poorly Managed Game I’ve Ever Seen!!

“Hi Yankees lineup.”

“Hi Kluber Mountain.”

“Good luck!”

The Yankees faced the unenviable task of stepping into the batter’s box against Corey Kluber. Mr. Kluber is the front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award, and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past 4 years. On the hill for the Yankees, 37 year old CC Sabathia. The Yankees surprisingly got to Kluber early and often. Gary Sanchez kicked things off with a 2-run home run in the 1st inning, and Aaron Hicks and Greg Bird followed suit with home runs of their own, blowing the lead open to 8-3 in the 5th inning.

This is the part where riders must keep all arms and legs inside the roller coaster and should hold on to their hats….

CC Sabathia gave the Yankees exactly what the doctor ordered, a gritty, road-start. After giving up 3 early runs, CC settled in, retiring 12 of 13 batters before being pulled by Joe Girardi in the 6th inning. This was the 1st of a multitude of mistakes by Girardi. CC Sabathia was dealing, and had only thrown 77 pitches. Yanking CC was down right STUPID (knowing your bullpen is already taxed)!!

If that was Girardi’s only mistake, the Yankees may have escaped from Cleveland with a victory. Silly me. Girardi brought in Chad Green. Despite retiring the 1st batter, anyone with eyeballs could see Green didn’t have his usual command (he threw 41 pitches on Tuesday). He promptly gave up a double to Yan Gomes, bringing runners to 2nd and 3rd. Then, with a 2-strike count, Lonnie Chisenhall was awarded 1st base after allegedly being hit by a pitch. All replays available, clearly showed the ball glanced off the knob of Chisenhall’s bat, and landed in Gary Sanchez’s glove. Joe Girardi inexplicably DID NOT challenge this call!!

This is the part where I lose my mind….

There is no valid excuse in the world for Girardi to not challenge this play. Forget that every replay known to man showed Chisenhall wasn’t hit. Forget that Chisenhall showed ZERO reaction as if he’d been hit. Forget that Gary Sanchez, your catcher, is adamantly pleading with you to challenge the play. Forget that you “didn’t get” your preferred super slo-mo replay. Forget tha….you got the picture??

The point is, this was the biggest moment, of the most important game, of the year. I don’t care if Girardi was on the toilet and didn’t see the play, there was NO RISK, and he should have challenged the play sight unseen.

And the worst part, was Girardi’s post-game pile of horse manure. I don’t have the heart, or stomach, to go through Girardi lying to my face again, so click here to see the worst post-game press conference in the history of sports.

Anyway, back to the bases loaded jam we go. Girardi wrongly left Green in, who promptly served up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Just like that, 8-3 became 8-7. Girardi then handed the ball to David Robertson, who threw 52 pitches on Tuesday. After getting 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings from Robertson, Girardi greedily sent Robertson out to the mound in the 8th inning. Enter Jay Bruce….A lead-off, solo shot tied the game at 8. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

You know what else didn’t help?? The Yankees stranded runners in scoring position in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings, while going scoreless for a span of 8 innings. You know what else REALLY didn’t help?!?! Ronald Torreyes getting picked off on 2nd base, by the catcher, with 0 outs in the 11th inning. How’d that happen you ask….

Todd Frazier reached 2nd base on a throwing error. Torreyes came in to pinch-run for Frazier. And to the shock and dismay of Yankees’ fans everywhere, Torreyes (who had 1 job), was caught drifting off 2nd base by Yan Gomes. Gomes made a spectacular throw, from home, on his knees to get Torreyes, but WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?!?! Unbelievable!!

And lastly, Girardi’s final mistake of the evening, leaving Betances in for a 3rd inning (11th, 12th, and 13th). Joe, stop asking players to do things they’ve never done before. In as close to a must-win situation as possible, everyone not scheduled to pitch in Game 3 should have been available. A fresh Luis Severino, Jaime Garcia, or Jordan Montgomery would have been better options than Betances in a 3rd consecutive inning. It wasn’t Betances’ fault, but who doesn’t love a 9-8 loss in 13 innings?!?!

THIS WAS THE MOST POORLY MANAGED GAME I’VE EVER SEEN — EVER!!!!

Now, rather then being tied 1-1, heading back to New York, the Yankees found themselves down 2-0 heading into Sunday Night’s Game 3.

Stay tuned for a recap of Sunday Night’s Game 3 and a preview of Monday Night’s Game 4.

Have you ever seen a more poorly managed baseball game in your life?? If so, please enlighten me in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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The New York Yankees fell to the Cleveland Indians 4-0 in Game 1 of the ALDS.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program, to bring you the inner monologue of a Yankees’ fan:

“3?? 3 GODDAMN HITS?! That’s all you could come up with?? WHAT THE HELL?! Man, I stayed up past 10 o’ clock for this, the least you could have done was score A run. They didn’t even have their best pitcher on the mound!! Now we’re really screwed!!”

Thursday night’s pitching matchup, Sonny Gray vs. Trevor Bauer, was the topic of conversation heading into Game 1. Indians Manager, Terry Francona, opted to start Bauer rather than Corey Kluber, against conventional wisdom. Boy does he look like a genius today. Bauer was lights out!! He made a potent Yankees’ lineup look pedestrian.

What you may not realize, is Bauer has been one of the best pitchers in the league following the All-Star Break. Since July 21st, Bauer is 10-1 and brought his era down from 5.59 to 4.19. He has 2 primary pitches, fastball and curveball. His masterful curveball was on full display Thursday night. It starts high, looks like a fastball out of his hand, and drops off the table at the last second. He had the entire Yankees’ lineup befuddled, especially Aaron Judge. Mr. Judge earned himself a ‘Golden Sombrero’ last night (4 strikeouts in 1 game).

As for Sonny Gray, he wasn’t good. He was wild, walking 4 batters in 3 and 1/3 innings. And he didn’t have an answer for former Mets’ slugger, Jay Bruce. Bruce had himself a day, going 2 for 3 with 3 rbi’s. I’ve always said, the best career move you’ll ever make is leaving the Mets….

There’s never a bad time to take a cheap shot at the Mets is there?

Anyway, the Yankees don’t have time to make fun of the Mets. With Game 2 less than 12 hours away, they need to get focused. Devising a plan to score a run against Corey Kluber wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Facing Kluber, the AL Cy Young Award favorite, is no walk in the park. He is a strikeout machine, who averaged 7 innings per start this season. Check out his amazing stats here.

The Yankees’ countermeasure is CC Sabathia. CC had a great year, considering he’s 97, but I’m not sure he’s the answer here. At this point in his career he’s clearly outmatched by the Indians’ lineup, Corey Kluber, and virtually everyone in the ballpark, but the hope is his age and experience can counteract the countless obstacles staring him in the face.

Maybe this is the optimistic Yankees’ fan in me talking, but sometimes things happen in sports that make no sense. CC Sabathia outdueling Corey Kluber and mowing down a solid Indians’ lineup would be one of those things.

Crazier things have happened.

Sorry heart. Today, brain has prevailed.

Indians 5, Yankees 3

You can catch the action at the odd time of 5:00 P.M. EST on MLB Network.

Who do you think will win Game 2?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

They led by as many as 6 runs, before the Colorado Rockies came storming back with a 4-run 4th inning. The Rockies ‘kept hanging around’, as they trailed just 6-5 in the 7th inning. And then, Diamondbacks’ relief pitcher Archie Bradley did something unexpected. He hit a 2-run triple, providing insurance, with his bat. The Diamondbacks would go on to win 11-8, advancing to the NL Division Series. Now, they have the great pleasure of taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB Best Record). Yay!

The Dodgers had a phenomenal season, but don’t sleep on the Diamondbacks. They CAN win this series, and they will….

Diamondbacks in 5

You heard it here first.

WNBA Finals

In case you didn’t notice, there was a decisive Game 5 played last night in the WNBA Finals. The Los Angeles Sparks took on the Minnesota Lynx. The Minnesota Lynx may be the quietest dynasty in the history of sports. New England who?? Alabama who?? The Lynx have now won 4 championships in the last 7 years. They were led by Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore. Fowles became the 1st player in WNBA history to win the MVP in the regular season and finals.

NHL Drops The Puck

Speaking of things you didn’t notice, the NHL season started last night, with 8 teams in action. The Toronto Maple Leafs stormed out of the gate, dominating the Winnipeg Jets to the tune of 7-2. Interestingly, the Maple Leafs and Arizona Diamondbacks simultaneously took 6-0 leads.

There was 1 overtime thriller last night, between the St. Louis Blues and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blues nearly blew this one, as the Penguins came back from a 4-2 deficit in the 3rd period. The Blues would ultimately take down Sidney Crosby and the defending champs 5-4 (F/OT).

The New York Rangers open their season at home, tonight, against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Islanders open their season Friday night at the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let’s Go Islanders!!

Thursday Night Football

And then, there was football. Those who stay up to watch horrid matchup after horrid matchup on Thursday Night Football, are finally being rewarded. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New England Patriots tonight. Expect New England, who I hate, to bounce back after last week’s home-loss to the Carolina Panthers. I’d say they’re going to blowout the Bucs, but a defense this bad doesn’t do blowouts. Expect Jameis Winston and the Bucs to put up impressive offensive numbers, but fall short of victory.

Patriots 31, Buccaneers 24

AL Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians. That’s what I’ll be watching tonight. The Yankees have announced that Sonny Gray will get the ball in Game 1 against Trevor Bauer, and CC Sabathia will pitch Game 2. In a surprise move, the Indians will opt to hold their ace, Corey Kluber, until Game 2. Indians’ manager, Terry Francona, said he wants Kluber to pitch on normal rest. If this series goes the distance, Kluber will be available to start Game 5.

Game 1 is the game for the Yankees to steal. While Bauer had a nice year, the Yankees’ lineup will be pleased not to see Kluber on the bump. The Yankees will carry the momentum from a fantastic Wild Card Game into tonight….

Yankees 5, Indians 4

What will you be watching tonight?? Will the Yankees win Game 1 of the ALDS?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

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A lot can change in 30 games. Doubters can become believers. Casual fans can become die-hard fans. And kids can become adults. That is exactly What has transpired With the 2017 New York Yankees. The ‘baby bombers’ have lost their diapers, skipped past the pull-ups stage, and jumped right into boxer briefs. They are shattering expectations one home-run at a time.

After Monday night’s 10-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, the Yankees now hold Major League Baseball’s best record (21-9). This is following a 1-4 start to the season, so the Yankees have actually gone on a 20-5 run in their last 25 games. That’s insane! Anyway….

They continue to Win decisively, as 13 of their 21 victories have been decided by 3 runs or more. The Yankees, led by a powerful offense, have become no stranger to the long ball. No team has hit more home runs per game than the Yankees. They currently average 1.66 home runs per game, having hit 50 in their first 30 games. Yup, you guessed it. Aaron Judge leads the team with 13 home runs.

Prior to the season their starting pitching staff was riddled with question marks. These questions have all been answered with the affirmative, so far. The Yankees pitching staff ranks 4th in e.r.a (earned run average – 3.52) and 1st in b.a.a. (opponents batting average – .227). We knew their bullpen would be stellar, and it has been, but many expected their starters to falter. Well outside of C.C. Sabathia’s last two starts, the Yankees’ starting pitchers have been very good. But hey, pssst….guess what the Yankees did in C.C.’s last two starts?? That’s right..they Won.

Your level of success is often measured by expectations. Every year, the machine at ESPN asks 35 of their baseball experts to predict the playoffs for the upcoming season (click here to check it out). As you can see, only 1 expert (Steve Wulf) picked the Yankees to Win the American League East Division. And I think these expectations, While appropriate, are exactly what the Yankees needed. The young core of the new look Yankees didn’t need the pressure of trying to live up to the 1998 Yankees. Who could anyway right?? This Yankees regime may have gone from sellers to buyers in just one year. But, as the season flips the calendar from June to October, and the Yankees continue their Winning Ways, pressure will mount naturally. The question is, how Will Aaron Judge and his young brethren handle the pressure?

As a life long Yankees fan, nothing Would make me happier than a historical World Series run, but I am one of the few realistic Yankees’ fans that has ever existed. As fun as this team has been to watch, and as good as I think they will be for years to come, I expect the other shoe to drop at some point during the season. While I don’t expect them to implode, I do expect them to come back to reality, slightly. Between the pressure that inherently joins us in August and September and the inevitable peaks and valleys of a marathon baseball season, I see the Yankees finishing as the 1st Wild-Card Playoff Team. Don’t jump me yet! Just keep Watching Yankees games, keep reading DaveTalksSports.com, and check back in September so I can say ‘I told ya so!’

What do you think? Will the Yankees continue to win at this rapid rate, or will they cool off as the summer heats up? Tell me in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my Writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as Well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

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I think, I say it. You may not like it, but I'll always be honest. I'm a walking oxymoron; an objective fan. Yankees, Knicks, Jets, and Islanders.
You can find me on the radio every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. EST on the TuneIn Radio App; Keyword: OWWR. I also broadcast every radio show on Facebook Live: Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can like my Facebook Page at www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports or follow me on Twitter @DaveEttinger2.